Eighteen years cancer-free. Then another diagnosis. Another fight. But still the same Monica—faithful, courageous, loved, and determined to keep living.
In 2008, while living in Detroit and building a business staffing nurses and other medical professionals, Monica Mc Cullough received a frightening diagnosis: breast cancer.
Her first thought was simple—she wanted the cancer out of her body as quickly as possible.
But cancer wasn't the only challenge Monica was facing. Her marriage had fallen apart, leaving her without health insurance at one of the most vulnerable times of her life. She was also raising three children and the nephew she took in as her own after her brother passed away.
When insurance became an obstacle to surgery, Monica's family rallied around her and helped her obtain coverage.
At her mother’s urging, Monica made the deeply personal decision to have both breasts removed. She later underwent reconstruction and began the emotional process of accepting a body that cancer had changed.
There were scars. There was uncertainty. But there was also family, faith, healing—and Monica's determination to keep moving forward.
Eighteen Years Cancer-Free
Monica went on to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 18 years cancer-free.
She moved to California and began a new chapter of her life. Eventually, she started dating again and met the man she describes as the love of her life.
After just 11 months of dating, they married on May 28, 2016.
Her children, the nephew she raised as a son, and her five grandchildren continue to be at the center of her life.
“My family is my fuel,” Monica says.
Another Unexpected Battle
Then, in 2024, Monica received another cancer diagnosis.
This time, she was diagnosed with Mycosis Fungoides, a rare form of cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma that primarily affects the skin.
For Monica, the cancer affects skin across her body.
Three times each week, she uses a UVB radiation phototherapy machine at home. Wearing protective goggles, Monica stands unclothed in front of the machine for prescribed periods so the ultraviolet light can reach the affected areas of her skin.
The treatment requiresconsistency. But the emotional adjustment has been another journey of its own.
As Monica's skin changed, so did the way she initially saw herself. There were times when she felt uncomfortable and wanted to hide beneath her clothes.
Then encouragement from a healthcare worker helped her begin looking at herself differently.
Instead of focusing only on what cancer had changed, Monica started seeing herself again.
Monica said, “Sometimes when I walk past a mirror, I can now see me—the beautiful young lady that I am.”
And these days, Monica says something else with a smile:
“I now toot my own horn.”
For Monica, those words represent more than confidence.
She has become comfortable in her own skin—literally and emotionally.
She no longer believes she has to hide the changes cancer has brought to her body. She can acknowledge what she has endured while still recognizing the beautiful woman looking back at her in the mirror.
That is its own kind of victory.
Faith, Family and Courage
Today, Monica continues to draw strength from her husband, family, faith, and church community, where she serves on the hospitality team.
Cancer is part of Monica's life, but cancer is not Monica's identity.
She is a wife, mother, grandmother, woman of faith, and someone who continues to serve and encourage others while navigating her own treatment.
For women facing cancer, Monica offers three simple words:
“Stay Calm, patient, and poised.”
Her story reminds us that courage does not always mean being fearless.
Sometimes courage is accepting help.
Sometimes it is praying when you don't know what comes next.
Sometimes it is standing in front of a treatment machine three times a week and then continuing with your day.
And sometimes courage is looking in the mirror at a body changed by cancer and saying:
“I still see me.”
Monica's journey reminds every woman facing cancer of something worth holding onto:
Cancer may become part of your story, but it does not get to become your whole story.
Keep living. Keep loving. Keep believing.
And when you're ready, take a little advice from Monica:
Go ahead and toot your own horn. You have earned the right to celebrate the woman you are.
